Rajon Rondo won’t re-sign with Mavericks unless Rick Carlisle is gone
By Mike Dyce
Rajon Rondo will only re-sign with the Dallas Mavericks if Rick Carlisle is gone.
The Dallas Mavericks lost Game Two to the Houston Rockets, dropping to 0-2 in the first-round series. The biggest storyline of the game was point guard Rajon Rondo‘s horrendous effort, or on-court protest which hurt his team.
You can interpret the game either way, but it does leave one-burning question: What happens with Rondo when free agency hits?
Reportedly Rondo wanted to work his way to Los Angeles and the Lakers, but was open to re-signing with the Mavericks when he got traded there mid-season.
That might not be the case now according to Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski, unless they get rid of head coach Rick Carlisle.
"Everything’s pushing Rondo closer to his inevitable free-agent fleeing to the Lakers this summer. As long as the coach is back, Rondo’s gone, sources told Yahoo Sports. The parting could be mutual."
Rondo and Carlisle have butted heads over play-calling in the past, both wanting the responsibility. During Game Two Rondo got an eight-second violation for failing to cross the midcourt line, some believe that was an act of protest on the play-calling stand off.
Ultimately Carlisle decided to leave Rondo on the bench for the remainder of the game.
You’d have to think that Mavericks owner Mark Cuban would sign with Rick Carlisle over Rondo if that is in fact the ultimatum that has been levied.
Given Rondo’s negative impact on the Mavericks, they might let him walk away.
Before Rajon Rondo trade, Mavericks were on pace for highest off. effic in NBA history. After trade, off. effic dropped by > 9 pts/100 poss
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 22, 2015